La Plaza Grande

Hello from Ecuador!

I am having a blast.

I have already fallen in love with the city of Quito.

There are not words to describe it, so I have a bunch of pictures to share. :)

On Monday, we went to "La Plaza Grande".

It is essentially their equivalent to a historic downtown.

It is where the Spanish organized the city of Quito.

Oh my goodness, it was so beautiful!

I can't wait to go back.

I know it was only our first excursion,

but I have a feeling this may be my favorite spot in Quito.

This is me and Brandi, my awesome roommate!

While we were there, there was a demonstration in the square called "La Cambia Guardia", or the changing of the guards.

It was so neat to see all of them come together with their president to sing the national anthem.

This was my absolute favorite photo!

I loved the statue of Virgin Mary in the hills contrasting with the busy street.

We also went into La Iglesia La Academia.

The inside was covered with 23 carat gold and took over 150 years to build.

It was magnificent!

This was my happy place.

I can't wait to share more later!

This weekend we are going to the beach!

-Beth

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14 days...

I will be here in 14 days! ;)

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Quito, Ecuador, here I come!

I have started the packing process, and I have a lot to do before I leave the country, but I am getting more and more excited everyday! :)

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Building Ecuador Excitement

My study abroad program in Ecuador is a little less than 3 months away, and I am starting to get excited.
I bought a vintage red suitcase (which probably won't be practical for Ecuador but I love it anyway) and a passport cover (girly, I know). I also received a lovely packet of Ecuador info from a couple back home that used to live there as missionaries awhile back. People are so thoughtful. :)

Last night was our first official meeting to, which was exciting in scary. You know, those meetings when you are travelling in groups where they have to prepare you for every worse case scenario. Let's just say there are a lot of those, but there are also exciting things. I know who my roommate is! Her name is Brandi, and I am eager to get to know her.

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My Summer Adventure Plans!

It's time to let everyone know what I have decided to do this summer!

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After a lot of thinking and going back and forth, I have decided to study abroad in Ecuador.

I have paid my first deposit reserving my spot. 

The trip is May 22, 2011 to June 19, 2011 with the Spanish Department at Missouri State.

(I will be able to see my little sis graduate May 19th!)

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It costs $4,000, but I have a plan.

I graduate next December, 

and I know relatives and close friends will probably want to get me something.

I don't really need anything,

so I am going to make some letters

and ask them to consider contributing to this trip instead.

The trip is only 4 weeks long,

so I may have time to do some traveling in the US, too!

I am very excited about my decision.

Stay tuned for more details!

For more details about Ecuador, go here.

Details about traveling the US, here.

South Korea with ladybug is still an option.

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Exploring the Ecuador Experience

1) Study Abroad in Ecuador with Missouri State University

Okay, so option one I am exploring is studying abroad. I have always wanted to study abroad, but the timing has never been right. A whole semester is just too much for me at this point in my life. However, the Spanish Department at Missouri State University has a four week program every summer. This year they are going to Ecuador!

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So here's the scoop:

The program is May 22, 2011 to June 19, 2011. It costs...wait for it...$4,000. Although that is terribly expensive, it includes everything as well as getting 6 hours of credit towards my Spanish minor. Yeah! The deadline is March 4, 2010 with a non-refundable deposit of $300. The teacher chaperon is Dr. Roger Dowdy.

We would stay two students to a room with a host family that are native speakers and go to class everyday. The classes are taught by native speakers, and there are four students to every teacher. Talk about personal attention! Dr. Dowdy said that each Thursday they volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club sort of thing and just play with the lower income kids. (Which is a great way to learn Spanish like I discussed in a previous post) On the weekends, there will be multiple "excursions", Dr. Dowdy said.

In conclusion, great opportunity that costs a lot of $$$. To me, I like the idea of study abroad because in the realms of adventure, it is safe. I know, lame reason but I am not much of a risk taker. This would be an adventure filled with rich experience, but I know I would be provided for and taken care of, for the most part.   

This trip would definitely embody community and culture by emerging myself in a new culture and community, which would leave room for a coffee adventure! I have been wanting to spend more than a week in a Spanish speaking country for a long time to harness my language skills, and this could be my chance.

What do you think?

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